Annie's Mailbox: Fiancee's ex won't break ties

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By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Rockford Register Star

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Posted Jun. 29, 2014 at 5:00 AM

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Posted Jun. 29, 2014 at 5:00 AM

DEAR ANNIE: I recently became engaged to my boyfriend of six years. His family and I get along great, he’s my very best friend, and I am so incredibly happy. The bliss, however, is being trumped by one problem.

Before “Kevin” and I got together, he was in a relationship with “Sophia” for four years. She came from a dysfunctional family and, as a result, became quite close to Kevin’s mother. Sophia still calls her, sporadically drops by the house, stays in touch on Facebook and delivers flowers on special occasions.

It’s been extremely frustrating for me. It is obvious that Sophia doesn’t like me, and now that we are engaged, she seems to push herself into Kevin’s family out of spite. I am certain that she is no threat to my relationship with Kevin. But it bothers him terribly that his mother is still in such close contact, not only because he knows it makes me uncomfortable, but because he doesn’t think it’s proper now that I’m going to be his wife.

Don’t get me wrong — I have an excellent relationship with Kevin’s mother. She has no daughters, and I want to form a bond with her. But my attempts feel futile because it seems she always chooses Sophia over me.

Kevin has brought this up to his mother, but she defends the friendship. This truly hurts my feelings. It’s not my place to say who his mother can be friends with, but I feel I’ll always take a backseat when it comes to building a relationship with my mother-in-law. Am I being overly sensitive? How can I avoid feeling second best? — FRUSTRATED FIANCEE

DEAR FIANCEE: As long as you are secure in your relationship with Kevin, you can afford to ignore Sophia. Treat her as you would any friend of the family whom you don’t like: You are polite and a wee bit dismissive. She is annoying, but of no consequence. You could even introduce her to some eligible men and shift her focus. We suspect Kevin’s mother feels sorry for Sophia. As you become an integral part of his family, and Sophia sees that she cannot be a thorn in your side, Mom’s closeness with the ex will fade into something you can handle.

DEAR ANNIE: I’m a nice, attractive, honest lady who has been single since 1973. I’ve been on dating sites off and on for the past 10 years and can’t find a husband to save me. What’s the matter with this world? Men seem too lazy to travel to meet me, or just want to mess around online. I’ve had several claim to be “in love” with me, but not enough to meet me.

Page 2 of 2 - I’ve waited so long that now I’m 82, but I can still love mentally and physically, and I look young, so what can I do? I’m tired of being lonely. — LH IN MONTGOMERY

DEAR LH: When someone tells us they can’t find anyone after years of searching, we suggest they ask their friends and family members to be brutally honest. Is there something about you that puts men off? Are you attracted to the wrong type of guy? Are your expectations out of line with reality? But we do recommend that you get off the computer and into places where you can meet men. Try church, community centers, health clubs and any activity that interests you.

DEAR ANNIE: I read the letter from “Grossed Out in Quebec,” whose husband doesn’t wash his hands after using the bathroom, saying he’s “careful enough.”

My husband doesn’t wash his hands either, but I found proof that he is not, in fact, clean enough. His computer keyboard is filthy, and so is his mouthwash bottle cap. I showed him. Now I can sometimes hear him washing his hands in the bathroom. — KENTUCKY